Oregon Ducks Suspend Blount For Punch

Oregon has suspended running back LeGarrette Blount for the remainder of the season for punching Boise State linebacker Byron Hout on Thursday, right after losing to Boise. A replay of the incident showed Hout taunting Blount as the teams converged onto the field. As a Broncos assistant coach moved to separate Hout from Blount, the Oregon senior threw a right cross that connected with Hout’s right jaw.

“Under no circumstance is fighting acceptable,” the NCAA said in a statement Friday. “If it occurs before or during a game, the officials enforce the rules. If it occurs after a game, institutions and conferences decide how to address the situation. We trust our members to handle these situations appropriately. Sportsmanship is everyone’s responsibility, including student-athletes, coaches, officials, institutions and fans.

In a statement prior to Blount’s suspension, Oregon president Richard Lariviere called the player’s behavior “reprehensible.”